Steampunk art, fashion, design and mods are seen by some as a reaction to today’s generic, plastic gadgets that all look the same until one gets very, very close - practical yes, pleasing no. So polish up that monocle, bring on the brass and banish cookie-cutter clutter as Steampunk artists find thirteen more ingenious ways to redesign and refashion the world by hijacking hi-tech back to the future (past)!

(image via: Geekologie)

How to take a keyboard from ergonomic to phantasmagoric? Start with an IBM M-15 Ergo Keyboard (shown below), drink one bottle of Absinthe and retire to the laboratory. The result may look a lot like this steampunkified deck commissioned by a young lady seeking to express her unique sense of circa-1879 sensibility.

(image via: Geekologie)

The elegant (and probably very heavy) keyboard features violet-tinted LED lighting, etched brass Acanthus leaf patterns on the sides and a cushy burgundy wrist pad. Smoking jacket and cigarette holder optional.

(image via: The Steampunk Workshop)

Headphone design hasn’t changed much in the past century, with the exception of earbuds and, of course, mass plasticization of components. While light weight is always welcome, cutting out the fat has also meant curbing originality. Not so with the vintage-look headphones created - on a budget, yet - by Steampunk artist Molly “Porkshanks” Friedrich and displayed at the Steampunk Workshop.

(image via: The Steampunk Workshop)

This illustrated tutorial shows how to retrofit & gentrify most any old pair of headphones with modern parts. Classic look outside; classy sound from inside. It’s a great way to bring past and present together without involving a wormhole.

(image via: Nicrosin)

Love it or hate it, the Bluetooth earpiece is here to stay - and it’s looking less futuristic everyday. Should that trend continue, the logical result would be the Steampunk mechanical aural communication device. Though the garish and gearish earpiece above is non-functional and just for show, sooner or later some basement inventor will craft one that will make you look like a Victorian Borg. You WILL be assimilated, so have a spot of tea in the meantime.

(image via: Unplggd)

The cellphone is one of today’s most universal mod cons, and it sure does look it. Granted, phone designers have a small space to work with and a barrage of tech tools to implant within. That’s what makes the Steampunk Cellphone above so special - it dispenses with GPS, texting capability and other things that the average E.T. (English Telecommunicator) wouldn’t phone home with anyway.

(image via: Unplggd)

Arthur Schmitt’s wooden wonder runs, as it were, on punch cards - something this writer hasn’t used since Mr. O’Grady’s math class back in ‘72.

(image via: Modding Forums)

Making a Steampunk Mouse that functions as it should is a much simpler proposition since a mouse is a much simpler device. Even so, the elaborate brass & leather mouse shown above looks as luxurious as a Faberge Egg, and rightly so as it was crafted by a Russian devotee of Steampunk. Or “Stimpank” as the Siberians say.

(image via: Modding Forums)

Filimon, the creator of this mouse-terpiece, administers a forum on “Modding of the outlying devices” that claims to be registered in the USSR - now that’s retro.

(image via: Modding Forums)

The attention to fine detail is unmatched, even down to the braided connecting cord and exquisite USB connector, packed in a custom made faux-gilded box. Putin on the Ritz, indeed!

(image via: Etsy)

Form following function is not the Steampunk way, and the gear-licious pocket watch above is a perfect example. The $43.00 watch is for display only as it’s likely the owner is already wearing a digital ticker on his/her wrist.

(image via: Etsy)

Glass, gears and an optional chain complete the classic look of this very watchable watch. Does the all show, no go nature of the device make one a pretender? It doesn’t matter - now you have Brass In Pocket while listening to it on the radio.

(image via: Time Tapestry)

Vianney Halter makes a variety of industrial styled wristwatches that DO work, even though they often resemble turn of the century pressure gauges more than actual chronometers. The trio of “Antiqua” models above are variations on the same multi-dial theme.

(image via: Time Zone)

Vianney Halter also crafts watches for Harry Winston, with the Opus 3 shown above. Timelessly styled, if we may say, the Opus 3 features a platinum or rose gold case and a 53 jewel movement.

(image via: Nerfnauts)

Flaunting Steampunk regalia may be cool, but it could also have an unwanted side effect - attracting the eyes of covetous have-nots. That’s where the Steampunk Nerf Maverick comes in mighty handy. So what if it only shoots Nerf bullets; nobody wants the business end of this bronzed blunderbuss bearing down on them.

(image via: Frank Buchwald)

Let there be light! Not just any old light, Steampunk styled old light! Frank Buchwald’s machine lights evoke a sooty air of industrial revolution tempered with a dash of Wellsian space drama.

(image via: Frank Buchwald)

Buchwald crafts his fully functional illuminators - “lights” somehow just doesn’t cut it - from quality materials such as burnished brass & steel, textile cables and unusual yet non-custom bulbs. The result: stunning fixtures that Tesla himself might use to do a little, er, light reading beneath.

(image via: Instructables)

A little light music? Well, the latter is on tap thanks to The Ambiance Enhancer, a dashingly deco wrist-mounted MP3 player designed by someone with a very un-Steampunkish name: Porkshanks. The player began life as a SONY MDR-006 player but with a little sheet brass, brown leather and… well, Porkshanks goes through the process step by step for those who seek to follow the trail she’s blazed.

(image via: Polapix)

Sometimes it takes just one component to turn a gadget from mainstream to Steampunk. In the case of the above desk clock, it’s Nixie tubes. Seriously, the tubes are in the case. Anyway, Nixie tubes are finicky beasts that demand special care concerning their power supply - probably why they’ve been replaced by LEDs and LCD displays. Finicky or not, the tubes lend an antique aura to this clock that complements the old camera it’s built out of.

(image via: Dark Roasted Blend)

Perhaps the most outstanding example of modern technological blandness is the digital calculator. Hailed as a wonder in the 1970s, they evolved to be smaller, lighter, and to run on miniature solar cells instead of batteries. This is good, no? No… not to those who appreciate all things Steampunk.

(image via: Dark Roasted Blend)

Andy Aaron is most definitely one of “those”, and his delightfully retro Aaron Adding Machines are the antithesis of today’s sleek, near-disposable pocket calculators. Aaron cranks out less of his creations in a year than Sharp stamps out in a couple of seconds. This IS good, because each unique device displays the hand-built luster and “use what you got” tooling that make Steampunk design so appealing.

(image via: Dark Roasted Blend)

Toggle switches, ball chains and vintage components come together in a quiet riot of richly antiqued brass and distressed wood. Some of Aaron’s calculators are so cumbersome they have massive grip handles by which to lug them about. It might not be easy to take these machines anywhere, but it’s certain you’ll never take them for granted… which is really the essence of what Steampunk design is all about.

Recycling discarded materials into new buildings and adapting disused structures to new uses is not just about sustainability - it is also about savvy innovation and stylish adaptation. Some architects build modular wonders from existing units (such as shipping containers). Others draw from recycled, found and local materials (or entire old buildings) to create aesthetically amazing designs that brilliantly blend old and new.

Spiral island (shown above) is just one such example: an incredible mobile private island floating on 250,000 recycled plastic bottles off the coast of Mexico. From a pre-industrial pigsty converted to a postmodern home and a magnificent monastery built from a million glass bottles to adaptively reused cargo containers, airplane hangars and water towers, here are twenty awesome more examples of brilliantly creative and sustainably innovative recycled architecture. Click below to learn more:

A political or environmental crisis can be devastating to populations and families - forcing people from their homes and property.  To lessen the human damage and provide a measure of safety and comfort for victims, temporary shelters are an invaluable asset. These designs, however, go above and beyond the standard stock emergency shelters in providing more efficient, affordable and all around more interesting living quarters.

(images via: Vestal Design)

SHRIMP (Sustainable Housing for Refugees via Mass Production) refugee housing units are compact, durable structures that can fold up to fit into 1/4 of a standard shipping container. When you do the math, that means that a single ship can carry housing for over 100,000 people. Each unit houses up to four people, is built of sustainable materials, and can be assembled on-site with only basic tools. And since the units can be set up on solid ground or float on six inflatable pontoons, they are extremely versatile for different types of situations.

(images via: Concrete Canvas)

With more than 35 million refugees worldwide, it’s become clear that housing solutions for displaced people need to be made a priority. Concrete Canvas shelters go a step beyond tents and other short-term shelters with a lifespan of approximately 10 years. They require nothing more than water and air to construct and can be built by crews with absolutely no training. Within hours of a crisis, the shelters can be set up and ready to live in.

(image via: CalEarth)

When Nader Khalili came up with “superadobe” structures in 1984, he intended them to be used in human colonies on the moon. Their practical application ended up being more Earthly in the end, though. Today, his groundbreaking design means that sandbags and barbed wire - two common materials of war - can be used to house those made homeless by war or other disasters.

(image via: GreenUpgrader)

Usually, time and resources are extremely limited after a disaster. Housing the affected population is a difficult prospect when there is no money and few supplies to construct temporary shelters. When Azin Valy and Suzan Wines of I-Beam Design considered this problem, the solution became evident: use shipping pallets. They are inexpensive, abundant, and sturdy, making them the ideal material to use for housing displaced populations. They can be left as-is for mild climates or finished off into a more permanent structure with the addition of solid wall coverings.

(images via: Design 21)

In the aftermath of a disaster such as a tsunami or earthquake, few things are more comforting than a warm, dry place to sleep. The Sanctuary shelter provides that comfort in a new and very appealing way. The biodegradable shelter pops open on its own with no need for tools or tent poles. Inside can be found a dry towel, biodegradable sandals, a first aid kit, and a warm blanket. The water-repellent material is insulated to keep residents safe, and the top of the shelter even features a reflective “X” to help rescue helicopters find those who need assistance.

(image via: Inhabitat)

For $35,000 you may expect a more permanent housing solution, but this recyclable cardboard house is an impressive temporary shelter. It goes up in less than 6 hours and comes with a composting toilet and water collection system. The pre-fab cardboard house started out as a concept but grew into an actual product. Sadly, it looks like the website to buy the cardboard houses is no longer operational, but you might be able to get the same effect for the same price with about 35,000 cardboard moving boxes.

(images via: Studio D)

Following a disaster, displaced people may find themselves crowded together in inadequate or makeshift shelters. Studio D’s concept for temporary shelters would give each person their own living space and a place to keep their own possessions. The shelters use common materials and are simple to erect, making them an ideal choice for housing and protecting those made homeless due to any type of disaster.

(images via: Archimintak)

Finding and constructing housing for displaced people requires a dependable way to get the building materials to the site. These temporary emergency shelters come packed two to a shipping container and can be delivered via truck or cargo ship. The ingenious design includes a center piece that pops up via hydraulic pump, creating separate living and sleeping spaces. Photovoltaic cells and a rainwater collection system make these shelters the ideal way to deliver functional housing to any disaster site.

(images via: Exo and Club Tread)

When climbing a mountain or hiking in a remote region, it’s not unusual to see emergency shelters dotting the landscape. These shelters have helped plenty of people escape harm in case of avalanches or stay safe while awaiting rescue for some other type of emergency. The type of shelter depends on the landscape and the particular dangers of that area. The “apple” shelter on the left can be found in Castle Rock, Colorado. Golden Ears Emergency Station, on the right, is located in Golden Ears Provincial Park, British Columbia.

(image via: IEA-PVS)

When the Lisbon Ideas Challenge asked for innovative Photovoltaic (PV) applications, the Basic Housing Unit for Urban Natural Hazards was one of the most intriguing entries. The temporary housing unit incorporates a PV film and inflatable structure, making it an ideal way to house displaced urban victims of natural disasters.

(image via: Yanko Design)>/h6>

The “Sphere” design from Felix Stark provides for not only the basic physical needs of disaster victims, but the social needs of displaces people as well. The center of these tents can be used as a meeting place for residents, while individual units can be used to maintain privacy and personal space.

(images via: University of Michigan)

Inspired by the stackable plastic beds used in overcrowded prisons, University of Michigan professor Allen Samuels devised a clever way to house refugees. His temporary huts are made of biodegradable, easy-to-clean, lightweight plastic. The wheels on one end make it easy to move around, and there is even a bit of room to store personal belongings.

(images via: Inhabitat)

Time is of the essence when disaster strikes. Hours are precious, and if affected people can be housed right away the impact of a disaster can be greatly minimized. The reCover shelter is designed to be a first-response shelter for those forced from their homes due to disasters or evacuations. It can be used for up to a month and can house a family of four. The structure folds flat for storage and transportation, making it easy to transport a large number of them to where they’re needed.

(images via: Campist)

When you’re stuck out in the elements or simply get separated from a group, staying in place and waiting for help may be the best idea. The Cocoon Emergency Shelter from designer John Moriarty is intended to keep you warm and safe until help arrives. You simply hang it from a tree or any other off-the-ground location, then climb inside and let the insulated materials keep you warm.

(image via: Hexayurt)

For about $100, refugees can be sheltered in Hexayurts: sturdy and space-economical structures meant to temporarily house those in need. In less than two hours, a cardboard Hexayurt can be built and ready to move into. If you have a bit more time and money, Hexayurts can be built from nearly any building material available.

Whether polished obsidian, bronze or metal-backed-glass, we have been gazing at our reflection for thousands of years. And while mirror mirror on the wall still holds true in most cases (we have yet to think of a better place for it), designers have never been more playful at exploring new design concepts in mirror-making. Here are 16 unique examples of new mirror designs that one would expect to find lurking with Alice in Through the Looking Glass.

Images: Daniel Rozin.

Whatever a mirror is made from, it has to be reflective, surely? Not if you think laterally. Daniel Rozin’s creations get around non-reflectivity by interpreting the image from an outward-facing camera and converting it into subtle changes in an array of small side-lit objects - in effect, pixels. The result is mirroring made from wooden blocks, wooden pegs, ball-bearings and even lumps of trash.  See the wooden mirror at work here (Quicktime required).

Images: Will Gurley.

Converting the humble wall-mirror into something rarely seen outside a funfair, the Flect Magic Mirror warps and contorts when you run the magnetic “magic wand” over it. When you have finished twisting your reflection hither and thither, remove the wand and the mirror springs back into shape. All the fun of “breaking” a mirror without the seven years of bad luck.

Images: Philippe Starck and Juanco.

What else can a mirror be? Here are two designs that reflect on this problem. Philippe Starck evidently believes that it can be a set of shelving that subtly encourages you to tidy up after yourself. Juanco’s mirror has a built-in tape measure, neatly stepping around the need for another person in the room when you want to check exactly how tall you are in your new shoes.

Image: Get Organized!

Seeing yourself head-on is all very well, but hair-styles wrap around. A sensible alternative to awkwardly working a hand mirror behind your head is this 360 Degree Mirror - except it’s only 180 degrees, and surely they’ve got their reflections mixed up there? However, no denying it is a great concept.

Images: Claire Requa Design and Iggloo.

One theme, two perspectives. On the left we have the Chandelier Mirror, adding a touch of Phantom of the Opera to your decor. And on the right, its mirror-image, the Mirror Chandelier - a pendant lamp that wouldn’t fail to stun if it was surrounded by candles or positioned to catch firelight.

Images: Afroditi Krassa and Domestic.

Convention dictates that a mirror is a single unbroken surface. Evidently these designers don’t hold much truck with convention. Afroditi Krassa works with mirrored sculptures, working mirrors into images of her design to hold images of yours. Alternately, this mirror from Inside IDSland appears to be cascading gently off the wall like a giant, feather-like Slinky.

Images: Bytrico and Artecnica.

For traditional single-surface wall mirrors, there are two directions to go. The Wipe Mirror goes down the quirky route, simulating what you’re forced to do when the mirror’s too fogged up to be useful. The stunningly clean-lined Dog Head mirror from TranSglass® seeks otherworldly sophistication, looking less manufactured than CGI-rendered.

Images: Soner Ozenc and Oregon Scientific.

Mirrors for the geekily-minded. A tribute to the maddeningly addictive puzzle game by Alexey Pajitnov, the Tetris Mirror will have you whistling that theme tune as you brush your hair - and Oregon Scientific’s grandly-titled Mirror Weather Station will be able to tell you the likelihood of whether you will need a coat to two decimal places.

Images: Physorg and Lumisource.

So what is next for mirrors? Most likely, they turn into windows. Thanks to nifty technology developed in Japan, what appears to be simple plate glass can become a mirrored surface at the flick of a switch, via the introduction of either oxygen or hydrogen into a layer between glass sheets. As well as a breakthrough in the techniques of keeping sunlit buildings cool, it’s a whole new world of mirrors. Although we cannot be sure, we are presuming the Allure mirror is one such example - from a few feet away it appears to be an array of glowing lights, but get within sensor-range (around 18 inches) and suddenly there you are, staring right back…

When a prefab building solution is required it can kick a design-oriented mind into high gear - the search for a visually appealing yet functional solution can be incredibly motivating. These creative designers are no exception. Prefabrication, modularity and portability also translate well into the world of furniture design, where versatile kit-based and flat-pack products can be more easily made and sustainably shipped.

Prefab is becoming a major buzz word in the world of contemporary architectural design. Prefabricated and flat-pack buildings and furniture represent the possibilities of partial mass production and extreme portability fused into aesthetically awesome finished products. The challenge is to combine the need for mobility and sustainability with a building design that appeals to clients and overcomes potentially negative stereotypes (such as shoddy workmanship or poor design) that are conventionally associated with prefab. Click the thumbnails below for more images of and information on these amazing designs: